What is DTF Printing? | The Ultimate Guide

Textile printing has come a long way. It began with woodblock printing centuries ago, then screen printing took over and remains popular. The 21st century introduced digital printing, which opened the door to endless design choices.

Direct to Garment (DTG) led the digital wave. It allowed direct printing onto fabric but mostly stuck to cotton and wasn’t as vibrant as screen printing. So, there was a need for a technique that works on various fabrics and delivers brighter results. Direct to Film (DTF) answered that need. 

This guide dives into the DTF printing process, its benefits, its drawbacks, and the materials it needs and supports. We also compare it to other fabric printing methods to give you the bigger picture.

What is DTF (Direct-To-Film) Printing?

Direct-to-film (DTF) is a digital process that prints designs onto a PET transfer film, which can then be heat-transferred onto fabric. It provides high-quality, vibrant prints across fabric types, from cotton tees to polyester jerseys.

Besides versatility, DTF offers a hybrid approach: preparing and storing printed films ahead of time. The printed films can be made and stored for months without design fading. When you’re ready, heat-press them onto your garment—no need to rush through setup or commit to a design right away.

How Does the DTF Printing Process Work?

DTF printing merges digital imaging with a heat transfer method. The process begins by printing artwork onto a specialized transfer film (PET) using CMYK inks and white under-base ink. 

An adhesive powder is applied to the artwork and cured in an oven or dryer. After a short curing phase, the film is heat-pressed onto the garment, creating vivid designs that hold up well through repeated wash cycles. The application of adhesive is done manually in small-scale setups but automation is also possible with dryer shaker units. 

Because it’s an indirect method – designs go onto film first rather than directly on fabric – you get the precision of digital printing plus the toughness of traditional transfers. 

What Materials Can DTF Be Used On?

Direct to Garment (DTG) printing introduced digital imaging to the textile industry but was limited mostly to cotton or cotton-blend fabrics. That restriction left out a huge range of materials, which is where DTF steps in. 

Unlike DTG, DTF supports a range of materials. Not only standard cotton and polyester blends but also nylon, denim, canvas, and more. It’s possible to apply DTF transfers to certain non-fabric surfaces like wood, certain plastics, ceramics, leather, and glass. 

Materials that warp or melt under heat, or those requiring special coatings, aren’t suitable for DTF. Surfaces that can’t lie flat in a heat press also pose a challenge.

Pros and Cons of DTF Printing

DTF printing has added a lot of more options to what can be achieved through digital printing. Here’s a look at some prominent highlights of the DTF process and some areas where it falls short:

Pros

• Vibrant, vivid designs without color restrictions.
• Works across fabrics, from natural (cotton) to synthetics (polyester) and their blends.
• Fabric doesn’t need to undergo pre-treatment for printing.
• Process suits all types of colored (light or dark) fabrics.
• Prints are durable and resistant to fading over time.

Cons

• Breathability of the fabric is affected.

What Do You Need for DTF Printing?

To get started with DTF, you’ll need these supplies. We have tried to add the most useful information for each one, so you’re well-informed when buying them.

Heat Transfer Film

Like other heat transfer printing methods, DTF also requires a specialized transfer film. DTF is made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), hence the name, PET film. It is specially coated to absorb ink and preserve design for a period of time. 

When you’re shopping for DTF film, consider both single-side and double-side coated versions –double-side coating often helps prevent slipping in faster printers.

You’ll also see films labeled as hot peel or cold peel, which refer to how soon you can remove the backing after heat pressing. On top of that, there are specialty films with reflective, metallic, or luminous finishes if you want more eye-catching designs. 

DTF Printer

DTF Printers mainly fall into three categories: converted photo printers, converted DTG printers, and dedicated DTF roll printers. Converted photo printers may be a good budget starter but usually require daily printing to prevent clogs and manual shaking of the white ink.

Converted DTG printers, which essentially print on film instead of directly on garments, provide better reliability since they are already designed for water-based inks; however, they typically work on one sheet at a time, limiting production speed.

For higher-volume needs, dedicated DTF roll printers are best. They can handle sheets, 12-inch to 48-inch widths. Many of these machines have built-in white ink circulation, motorized agitation, and can pair with automated powder/curing units.

DTF Ink

DTF prints rely on a CMYK ink set plus a white base ink to produce vivid colors. The white is especially important for dark fabrics to add an opaque under base. These inks come in both water-based and solvent-based options. Special inking options like fluorescent DTF inks are also available. 

Adhesive Powder

In the market, multiple types of adhesive powders are available, often distinguished by black vs. white powder for dark or light fabrics. However, the more important classification is based on particle size, which ranges from fine (0–70 microns) to coarse (120–240 microns). 

Fine powder works well for delicate or detailed designs but can clump in humid conditions. The coarse powder is better for thicker fabrics or when you require a slightly raised effect. 

You will also find specialty powders: anti-sublimation (to prevent color migration on polyester), easy-to-peel (both cold and hot peel), milky white (reducing white ink consumption), and breathable formulas (helping garments feel less stiff).

Heat Press

A dedicated heat press is required for properly transferring DTF designs onto shirts. Common types include clamshell, swing-away, and draw-style presses. These heavy-duty machines require a sturdy tabletop and enough space for safe operation. 

If you’re looking for something more versatile, the new xTool Heat Press series is worth highlighting. This portable, smart press comes in a set of two: a miniature press and a smart press that functions similarly to a swing press. It’s safer and easier to control, thanks to its wireless controller.

You can operate the xTool Heat Press either in a traditional clamp style or in a handheld, portable mode for printing on awkward or larger items. The machine automatically powers off after 11 minutes of non-use, saving energy and reducing safety risks.

How to Do DTF Printing: The Step-By-Step Process

With all material supplies and tools, here’s a detailed process you can follow for creating a customized DTF t-shirt:

Step 1: Creating (Preparing) a Design

You need to create an artwork or a design file for printing. You could use any graphics software, like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw, etc, for designs, or download free designs online. 

There’s another option, getting a customized AI-generated design file via  AIMake. It’s a powerful image generation tool solely designed for making artwork for printing and engraving. Unlike other image generation software, it doesn’t fall short in creating textual images. The accuracy for created text graphics is over 90%.

Whatever design you need to ensure that it has at least 300 dpi resolution. While designing, keep in mind that certain parts of the design might need to show the T-shirt’s fabric through “knockout” or transparent sections; remove or make these areas transparent so they do not print with color or white ink behind them.

Step 2: Printing the Design with DTF Printer

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Before printing, the artwork or image needs to be ‘ripped’ through RIP software. RIP stands for Raster Image Processor which converts the RGB coloring in PNG, and JPG files to CYMK formats that the DTF printer can accept. 

You may not be able to directly convert the image earlier in the graphic design software because DTF printers also have a white base ink, whose configuration settings are present in RIP software. 

You may directly send it to the printer (if it supports that). Or a file is generated specific to the printer, which can be fed into its print control software.

Step 3: Applying the Adhesive (Powdering)

After the print comes out, you have to apply adhesive powder to the inked surface before it dries. There are two ways for that:

Method 1: Manual Powdering

For small batches, you can hand powder the transfer film. Put the DTF film in a tray and pour a generous amount of powder onto it. Lift the film from the sides, and roll it back and forth until powder covers the whole design. 

Once it’s fully covered. Gently lift the film and flick one end to remove excessive powder from the sheet. 

Method 2: Dryer Shaker Machine

For larger volumes, you can use the combo unit that has a shaker and a dryer (oven). It readily takes in the PET film from the printer, powders it, and then cures it automatically. 

Step 4: Curing the DTF Transfer Film

If you use a 2-in-one powder shaker and dryer (oven) machine, you may skip this step. For curing, you can either use a dedicated oven or a heat press. 

Method A: Curing Oven

In the case of a curing oven, typically 260–300°F (125–150°C) is enough. Do check your specific powder’s recommended range.

Method B: Heat Press

Turn on your heat press and set it to around 225 –240°F. Instead of clamping down, you hover the upper platen just above the film (about ¼ inches) so the heat melts the powder. Cure for 1–2 minutes. 

Look for an even orange peel texture across the print area. A properly cured transfer will appear glossy initially and turn to a semi-gloss or matte sheen as it cools.

Step 5: Heat Press Design onto the Shirt

The final step is heat transfer. The heat settings (temperature, pressure, and time) are based on the material of the garment. In this case, since it’s a polyester shirt, we heat-pressed at 270°F for 20 seconds. 

Peel the film right after or allow it to settle based on the type of sheet you’re using: hot or cold peel. For a soft feel and durability, we recommend another press round with parchment paper on top. 

Tips for Successful DTF Transfer Printing

The DTF printing process can deliver high-quality results if you approach your design with these essential tips in mind:

• Avoid tiny elements or thin lines. Overly small details lose adhesion and peel away sooner, so keep designs bold.
• Break up solid ink areas with negative space. Let the shirt show through in strategic spots to reduce stiffness and improve breathability.
• Mind your white ink usage. Darker garments typically need more white under-base, which can make the design feel thicker. So, balance design vibrancy with comfort.

DTF Printing Vs Other Printing Methods

Besides DTF, there are multiple other printing methods. Let’s see how each one differs from DTF.  

DTF vs Sublimation Printing

Sublimation and DTF transfers are similar in that both start with a digitally printed design. Sublimation prints design onto transfer paper, and DTF onto film. And in both cases, it’s heat-pressed onto fabric. 

However, the type of ink and how it bonds to the material is quite different. In sublimation, the dye ink sublimates (turns into gas under high heat) and becomes part of the fabric’s fibers. On the other hand, DTF ink is bonded as a layer on top of the garment with the help of an adhesive powder.

Sublimation works directly on light-colored polyesters – for others, a base lamination layer is needed. Whereas, DTFs can be used on various fabric types and colors without any pretreatment. 

Learn More:

DTF VS Sublimation: Which One to Choose?

DTF vs Screen Printing

Screen printing is a traditional technology that involves pushing ink through a stencil screen directly onto the fabric. Whereas, in DTF, the design is transferred via a printed transfer film.

Both DTF and screen printing result in a layered design on the fabric, and both methods are usable across different materials. However, screen printing often yields a thicker, vibrant print.

Another limitation of screen printing is the color option. It requires a separate screen for each color, making it less practical for detailed or multi-color artwork. In DTF, the entire design, including multiple colors, is printed in one digital pass before being pressed onto the garment.

Learn More:

DTF VS Screen Printing: Which One to Choose?

DTF vs DTG Printing

DTF and DTG are often confused since both are digital methods, yet their approaches differ significantly. 

In Direct to Garment (DTG), the design is printed directly onto the fabric, typically requiring pretreatment (especially on dark garments) to help the ink bond. In DTF, you first print onto a transfer film, apply adhesive powder, cure it, and then heat-press the design onto the fabric. 

DTG is mainly suited for cotton or high-cotton blends, and its workflow is immediate—you print and cure the garment on the spot. In contrast, DTF works across almost all fabrics (cotton, polyester, blends) without needing pretreatment, and you can even store the printed films to press later. 

Another major difference is vibrancy. DTFs have higher color vibrancy than the DTGs but the design feels a bit layered. Whereas, DTG prints, though lighter, have a soft feel. 

Learn More:

DTF VS DTG: Which One to Choose?

DTF vs Heat Transfer Vinyl

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is one of the simplest methods for creating custom shirts: you cut shapes or letters from vinyl sheets, then heat-press them onto the garment. This means no ink usage unless you’re working with printable vinyl. 

However, the color options are limited to the vinyl colors you have, making multi-color designs more tedious. HTV shines for bold logos and text due to its crisp edges, plus it offers unique textured and special-effect finishes like glitter or flock.

In contrast, DTF is a full-color digital printing approach. You’re not restricted to vinyl shades—any number of colors can be included in a single design. Detailed imagery and complex graphics are all fair game. 

Although HTV’s textured styles can be appealing for certain projects, DTF is typically the go-to for vibrant prints on various fabric types.

DTF vs UV DTF Printing

UV DTF is an innovation in DTF technology. In this process, UV-curable ink is printed onto a special film and then cured using ultraviolet light to create a hardened layer. This film is subsequently transferred onto surfaces non-porous like materials like glass, metal, and acrylic. 

In contrast, standard DTF is basically a process for textiles. Here, a water-based or solvent-based ink is printed onto PET film, coated with adhesive powder, cured, and heat-pressed onto fabric. 

In UV DTF printing, the ink solidifies instantly under UV light. So, the application is quick and durable. The process mainly suits solid items like phone cases, glass panels, or signage. UV-curable inks don’t stretch well, so UV DTF is not used on flexible fabrics. 

Whereas, standard DTF relies on a heat-activated adhesive and is specifically designed for flexible, washable surfaces, namely T-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel. 

FAQs of DTF Printing

What kind of printer do you need for DTF transfers?

You need a printer that can handle CMYK plus white inks and can accept DTF transfer film properly. Some people modify photo or DTG printers, but these usually require manual white ink agitation and daily use to avoid clogs. A dedicated DTF printer has built-in white ink circulation and can take wide rolls of PET film. Some of them can be paired with a shaker and dryer unit to complete printing and powdering in one go. 

What kind of ink is used for DTF?

DTF printing usually uses water-based or solvent-based CMYK inks and a specialized white base ink that adheres to the fabric with the help of adhesive powder.

What does DTF feel like?

Since DTF designs are layered as in screen printing, they appear to have the same plastic feel. Yes, they have raised texture but the feel is usually smooth and soft for most fabrics. If it feels plastic initially, the texture will soften after washing.

How long does DTF last?

DTF prints are known to be quite durable. As per estimates, they can last between 50 to 100 washes.